By Holly Nine
On Monday evening, Nov. 28, the Clay Board of Education held their bimonthly meeting, which ended with a retirement celebration for the school superintendent.
To begin the meeting, the board members entered into executive session to discuss and determine the status of three students. Upon returning from executive session, the status of three students was determined to be expelled for a year with the option of homebound schooling.
A mid-year budget reduction of $86,206.00 for the current school year, by order of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and per instructions from WVDE, was approved. The resignation of Jared Fitzwater as athletic director at Clay Middle School, effective immediately, was approved. The employment of Leslie Goe as assistant principal at Clay Middle School, Fitzwater’s former position, was approved. Katie Stover was approved as a substitute teacher, pending certification.
The action items on the agenda were not lengthy. At the adjournment of the meeting, board members and attendees were to gather in the connecting room to celebrate the retirement of current Superintendent Kenneth Tanner. Before the meeting adjourned, there were stories told of memories with Tanner, not only as superintendent, but of him as a student and his time in other positions in his career. Former superintendents Jim Dawson, Larry Gillespie and Jerry Linkinoggor were in attendance and shared some of their memories.
Tanner’s last day will be December 31.